Hi there, my name is Thomas but my friends call me Tommy.  I promise you’ll never feel lonely with me because I like to follow you around.  I also love a soft doggie bed and blanket or a sunny spot to relax in but don’t be surprised if you find me sleeping on one of your couch pillows.  At night I go into my kennel easily and sleep quietly through the night and I keep my kennel clean.  I have been known to let my foster dog siblings cuddle next to me, but I really prefer to sleep by myself. Right now I do not sleep with my humans because I startle when sleeping and will growl and snap at you.  But don’t let that scare you, just give me my own bed or kennel to sleep in. Don’t tell anyone but I’ve been known to moan when I get a good ear, neck, and back rub!  I’d like nothing more than curling up in your lap on the couch, but I am in training now because I think I’m the boss and don’t want to share your lap with anyone else.  Continuing with my training would be important.  My foster mom says that I’m smart and I will catch on quickly.  I am making progress with my potty training.  When my foster parents are at home, they let me out every couple hours.   

Occasionally I have tried playing with the other dogs in my foster home, but they really don’t want to play as I am mouthy and vocal with them when I want to play.  I do love to sit by the glass door or on the back of the couch and watch the birds and squirrels; I’ve been known to sit and stare at them for an hour at a time. I really don’t have much interest in toys, but I do enjoy a good bone or chewy treat … or rather any treat!  My foster mom is trying to fatten me up some so I get extra treats because I am a little skinny from being a stray in Texas before I came to MN.  I am food motivated and my foster parents say I’m a good eater!  I do have some food aggression so it will be important to feed me away from the other pets and when I’m eating don’t put your hands near my dish or bones. I don’t bother the other dogs when they are eating, I just don’t want anybody messing with my food.  I am trusted to be uncrated when my foster parents are not home; I am safe, I wander, and I chill out in a doggy bed.  I love taking car rides and looking out the windows or relaxing on a soft dog seat.  Now that it is warming up some, my foster mom says that we are going to practice more walking on a leash and treats should help me with that because I love to stop and sniff along the way!  I really love to explore outside in the yard; so many scents to follow and new places to explore.  If you have a fenced in yard then all the better!  

My foster parents say that I do best in a home without children under 10 years of age, older respectful kids should be okay.  If you can provide me with a loving home and help me with some consistent training, I will be the best furry companion my foster parents know I am.  Go ahead what are you waiting for, fill out an application and I’d be happy to meet you and show you the sweet little buddy I can be.    

Thomas is from Texas.  One big thing you should know is they are heartworm positive - but please don’t let that scare you away from adopting them! After they undergo treatment for their condition they will be completely healthy again, and heartworm is not a contagious disease.

Because they need treatment, they are available exclusively through Ruff Start’s Foster to Adopt (FTA) program. Click here to learn more about this program.

They will get heartworm treatment at one of Ruff Start’s partner veterinary clinics in St. Cloud, so their foster will need to be comfortable getting them to and from the appointments. Treatment will consist of three injections: the first will be roughly 30 days after they enter rescue. Then, the second and third injections will happen 30 days after the first. When they are undergoing treatment, they should be on activity ‘restrictions’ which just means they should relax in their crate or cuddle with you.   Click here to learn more about heartworm disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. If you are interested in getting to know this animal better, please fill out an adoption application. An adoption application is the best way to show your interest in an animal and is not a binding contract.

To learn more about Ruff Start’s adoption process and the care our foster animals receive, please visit our How to Adopt page.

If you'd like to donate towards this pet's care, you can donate to our Animal Care Fund. Our Animal Care Fund supports the medical and veterinary needs for all Ruff Start Rescue animals. You'll be able to enter this pet's name on the second page of the donation form.